Prof. Dr. Andreas Tünnermann, Head of the Fraunhofer-Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering in Jena, Germany

In lighting technology there are enormous savings potentials in combination with a significant contribution towards conserving our environment. "The technology leap has commenced," says Prof. Dr. Andreas Tünnermann, Head of the Fraunhofer-Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering in Jena, Germany, "we have to switch over immediately." 

How would you describe the current status in lighting technology?
Tünnermann: Worldwide, 19 percent of electricity is consumed for lighting.  In other words, a significant proportion of our primary energy requirements are used for lighting.  With innovative processes we have been able to increase energy efficiency considerably since the incandescent light bulb was invented.

What can we do to stop wasting electricity?
Tünnermann: Outdated lighting devours millions of euros. Changing lights over to modern technologies could save national and local governments a lot of money.  Municipalities and companies have already taken the first step if they have changed over to energy-saving light bulbs.    However, we are justified in believing that a lot more can still be done.

Why is the use of energy-saving lights not enough?
Tünnermann: Pilot applications of new light sources have shown that much more can be achieved. Production of energy-saving light bulbs is not even state of the art. They contain a high proportion of mercury and are even banned in some countries because of this. Besides, modern technology will be able to increase the efficiency well above 50 percent.  This will save half the energy used in lighting.

What will future lighting look like?
Tünnermann: In the coming years we will see a significant change in lighting technology. Laser technology has paved the way for this. In particular, the success of the diode laser was an important step from the tube technology towards semi-conductor components in combination with the path towards microelectronics.   These experiences are a good basis to make a change in lighting technology to solid state-based sources of light.    The light sources of the future will be light-emitting diodes (LED) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLED).

How significant is this technological leap?
Tünnermann: Alone the desire for more individuality will encourage the use of the new lights. There is also a chance of achieving more efficiency and transferring cost benefits to general lighting technology.  We have to switch over immediately. Currently, the 50 million or so outdated street lights in the EU cost five billion euros to operate.   If we were to change over to modern technology today, this step would already save about 1.7 billion euros. And there are further advantages.  Nature would also benefit from this change.  The lower electricity consumption would save 3.8 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.  That is a significant contribution towards conserving the environment.
Thank you for the interview.
 
Thank you for the interview.

Georg Dlugosch conducted this interview with the lighting technology expert.

World of Photonics Congress  APPLICATION PANELS    16. Juni 2009, 13.00 - 17.00 Uhr  Halle B2

Novel developments in solid state laser technology Chairmen: Prof. Dr. Andreas Tünnermann, Fraunhofer Institute for Appliled Optics and Precision Engineering, Dr. Friedrich Bachmann, Rofin-Sinar Laser GmbH Lecture language: English Solid-state lasers are attractive sources of coherent radiation for various scientific and industrial applications, leading to a substantial growth in photonics industry. The different fields of applications increasingly demand more powerful, efficient, and rugged lasers with higher beam quality. Hence, at present a new generation of laser systems with improved parameters has begun to dominate the market. Thin disc and fiber lasers have now entered the regime of multi-kilowatt of average output with almost diffraction limited beam quality. The primary goal of this workshop is to provide an update on new developments in advanced solid-state lasers and concepts for ultra-compact low cost laser sources.